The Witham is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Centre Manager, David McKnight who starts at the Barnard Castle arts and community centre on Tuesday 8 January.

David joins The Witham with over 19 years’ experience of commercially-focused management in the charitable sector including as Chief Executive, General Manager and Company Secretary of the HMS Trincomalee Trust, Europe’s oldest warship afloat and also as a Director of Teesdale Development Company.  In his spare time, David demonstrates his passion for the arts, volunteering with his wife and friends to bring live music to small rural venues in North Yorkshire as part of the ‘Live in the Dales’ initiative. 

David comments, “I am looking forward to helping ensure that that The Witham is on a commercially-viable footing to build on what is already a great venue. Teesdale is lucky to have this fantastic facility here in Barnard Castle and I’m looking to increase its reach whilst ensuring more local people access what’s available at The Witham.”    

As Shelagh Avery, The Witham's Chair of the board of Trustees, comments: “David joins The Witham to manage the community arts centre. Following last year’s fundraising campaign, David will be working with the whole Witham team to ensure that the arts centre is commercially viable. He will help ensure that has a strong future, continuing to bring a wealth of exciting events to South West Durham and working to increase the number of people who access them.'

The Witham’s Spring programme is now available with a host of exciting events to make 2019 go with a swing. Check it out here: http://thewitham.org.uk/index.php/whats-on